The concept of liberal education in India has long been up for debate. Multidisciplinary studies involve integrating concepts, theories, and methods from two or more fields of study. It promotes creativity and innovation in problem-solving while encouraging a multi-faceted approach to complicated problems that call for specialised knowledge. It helps break down silos between different fields of study, fostering collaboration and communication among researchers from different backgrounds.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India, which oversees higher education in the nation, has been instrumental in forming the liberal education framework. It has been promoting multidisciplinary studies for long and the same has been introduced in the National Education Policy 2020. UGC is asking higher education institutes to introduce multidisciplinary courses in their curriculum and encourage students to take courses from different disciplines and allow them to choose their own areas of study. Additionally, it suggested adding electives in subjects like philosophy, history, and literature to assist students cultivate their critical thinking abilities and widen their intellectual horizons. Despite these initiatives, the implementation of liberal education in India has been slow and faces challenges. Most universities as well as the students prioritize science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and allocate limited resources to liberal studies.
On the other hand, JG University has designed all its programmes and curriculum to match the UGC guidelines. Our key focus is to integrate knowledge and approaches from multiple disciplines to address complex problems and challenges. The aim is to prepare students for the diverse and dynamic nature of the modern workforce. JG University recognises the importance of multidisciplinary subjects along with the traditional mode of education in the fields of management, commerce, engineering and technology. Entailing the liberal flair with the technology-based curriculum will prove to prepare students for the market in addition to developing their analytical skills. This will advance their ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information from different sources, resulting in a more comprehensive and knowledgeable grasp of difficult topics. JG University’s courses are created to match the suggestions of NEP 2020.
At JG University, we believe, liberal study subjects are important for undergraduate students because they develop critical thinking skills, broaden intellectual horizons, enhance communication skills, prepare for a changing job market, and foster personal growth. These skills are essential for success in both personal and professional life.